GWINNETT COUNTY — Gwinnett County is strengthening its fight against crime with a major expansion of its network of Flock safety cameras, thanks to a new five-year partnership with local business districts.

Under the agreement, four community improvement districts — Gateway85, Gwinnett Place, Sugarloaf and Evermore — will cover about 60% of the costs. The county will pay the remaining 40%.

The Flock system, which uses license plate-reading cameras, has already helped law enforcement recover more than 800 stolen vehicles and locate over 800 suspects tied to criminal investigations since 2020. The footage feeds into the county’s crime response center, giving officers real-time access to critical information.

Police say the cameras are a game changer for public safety, helping them respond faster and more effectively. Gwinnett County Police Chief J.D. McClure said the partnership shows how law enforcement and local businesses can work together to keep communities safe.

However, the use of Flock cameras hasn’t come without controversy. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the collection of data from every vehicle that passes by, arguing it raises issues of surveillance and civil liberties.

Despite the debate, supporters say the benefits outweigh the concerns. Each of the four business districts will contribute around $250,000 annually to support the system over the next five years.

The goal is to make neighborhoods, shopping areas and major corridors across Gwinnett County safer — and harder for criminals to hide.